Visions of Ubuntu is a flexible music project initiative that celebrates creativity from the African continent with a positive message for our shared humanity. The inaugural performance of this project took place at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park in June 2024. Singing has always been a major force in music in South Africa. Epitomising the barrier breaking potential of music, this show involved the Young Peoples Chorus of New York City, under the direction of artistic director Francisco Nunez, singing in both English and isiZulu.
In the words of Nelson Mandela –
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Musician John Coltrane epitomised the spirit of Ubuntu through much of his work, and said:
“I think the main thing a musician would like to do is give a picture to the listener of the many wonderful things he knows of and senses in the universe. That’s what music is to me. It’s just another way of saying this is a big beautiful universe we live in that’s been given to us, and here’s an example of just how magnificent and encompassing it is”.
Despite many technical advancements, humanity still needs to progress to an understanding that all humans are equal. No single culture owns the monopoly on human wisdom, and the intention of Visions of Ubuntu and is to offer the listener a proudly contemporary African musical experience that epitomises the African philosophy it draws its inspiration from.
Rehearsal with Young Peoples Chorus – June 2024.
ENHLIZWENI – song stories from my heartland was released in April 2024 through AfricArise/Ropeadope label in the U.S. It received a SAMA (South African Music Awards) award for best jazz recording. Here is an overview of the project and what inspired me to do it.
Almost all of us feel ties to the lands of our birth, and I’m no different. I was born in South Africa, a place where multiple musical energies exist in spiritual spaces, community get togethers, rituals, protests as well as dedicated performances.
As South Africa nears its 30 years of democracy we are faced with a myriad of challenges, but we are resilient. The tracks on ENHLIZWENI are a creative offering of how South Africa has shaped, and continues to shape my personal, and our collective stories.
Music in this country is most often a communal edeavour. I hope “ENHLIZWENI – song stories from my heartland” can in some way contribute, in the words of freedom fighter Steve Biko, to “the great gift (that) still has to come from Africa – giving the world a more human face”.
Genesis of a Different World
To read more on Genesis of a Different World:
Sisgwenjazz Blog: https://sisgwenjazz.wordpress.com/2019/07/23/genesis-of-a-different-world-steve-dyers-sonic-lexicon-of-change/
Newframe Blog: https://www.newframe.com/dyer-and-the-making-of-his-different-world%EF%BB%BF/ . Written by Percy Zvomuya
Mahube
Music from Southern Africa
From the crisscross rhythms of Malawi and Zimbabwe
down to the choral splendour of the south,
and bass lines so thick you can taste the syrup,
and so much more in between……… truly we have more riches than gold.
Directed by Steve Dyer and Bokani Dyer, an ensemble of ten award-winning musicians forms a new Mahube, two decades after the original lineup brought together some of Southern Africa’s most creative and respected musicians to create a collaboration unlike any before.
Mahube 2017 features the inimitable and inventive Siya Makuzeni (SA – Eastern Cape) on
vocals and trombone, Mbira queen Hope Masike (Zimbabwe), dynamic singer/dancer Xixel
Langa (Mocambique), and the haunting voice of Mbuso Khoza (SA – KZN) as well as a stellar line-up of top instrumentalists.
The new Mahube continues with Steve Dyer’s creative concept of exploring and celebrating the music of Southern Africa, as done with previous Mahube collaborators that included Oliver Mtukudzi and Feya Faku. The original Mahube won the 2003 KORA all African award for best Traditional African group, and performed across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and Swaziland, as well as in Holland, Belgium and Germany, with phenomenal responses from audiences and press alike.
Mantswe A Marabi
Bessie Head
REVISION PROJECT RELEASED 2021
Steve Dyer 